Seen & Heard: March 9-13

The circus is here, a frog is about to kiss a princess and music is all around us this weekend.

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The circus is here, a frog is about to kiss a princess and music is all around us this weekend. We’ll get to all that soon, but first, we have a follow-up on a couple of Virginia-made films with local actors that won recognition at the Richmond International Film Festival last weekend, plus coverage of the world premiere of “Shooting the Prodigal” by Richmond-based Belltower Pictures.

And in other news, PBS today announced a second season for “Mercy Street,” and The Times-Dispatch reports that executive producer and co-creator Lisa Wolfinger is already in town working on it. (Here’s an earlier interview we did with her about the show and a video from our visit to the set during filming last year.) So keep an eye out for actor Josh Radnor at Ellwood Thompson’s.

Now on to some of the live music happening this weekend. And it’s good.

Thursday (March 10), Porches is playing at Strange Matter. A project of singer-songwriter Aaron Maine, the band put out an LP, "Pool," that was deemed one of the "10 Albums You Need to Listen to in February" by Harper's Bazaar. $14. 8 p.m. 447-4763 or strangematterrva.com.

The same night, Bonnie Raitt is coming to the Carpenter Theatre for a sold-out show with openers the California Honeydrops. Two shows next time, OK? 

Are you ready for some rock 'n' roll? Head to the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for the Rock & Roll Jubilee, Friday to Sunday. Step back in time to 1958 and join the studio audience as WJKS radio presents icons like Buddy Holly, Elvis, Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers. $28. (Read more about it in Zach Reid's RTD preview.)

Robey Martin has an interview with singer-songwriter Edwin McCain, who’s coming to the Capital Ale House Music Hall downtown on Friday. Best known for his 1998 hit “I’ll Be” — a popular selection for “American Idol” contestants, McCain is candid about some of his struggles and talks about how “music … swooped in and saved me.” Tickets are $35 to $45. 780-2537 (ALES) or capitalalehouse.com.

Also on Friday, doom-metal pioneers Pentagram come to The Broadberry. As Laura Bittner mentions in this preview, the band that got its start in the 1970s has been experiencing a comeback in recent years, since lead singer Bobby Liebling emerged from the stranglehold of drug addition, chronicled in the 2011 documentary “Last Days Here.” 8 p.m. $20. 353-1888 or thebroadberry.com.

If the name Marshall Crenshaw doesn’t ring a bell, I’ll bet you’ve heard at least one of his impossibly catchy pop tunes. I just caught a cover version of  “Whenever You’re on My Mind”  by (I think) Ronnie Spector last week while driving home and listening to WRIR. Don Harrison had a chance to talk with the man himself for this Q&A — about playing John Lennon in “Beatlemania,” working with the Gin Blossoms and writing the title song for “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” among other things. Catch him yourself at the Tin Pan on Saturday. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 447-8189 or tinpanrva.com.

Also on Saturday, Richmond country music newcomer Tony Jackson, whose single “Drink by Drink” is getting radio play across the country, appears at the Old Dominion Barn Dance along with Country Music Hall of Fame member Connie Smith, who will play two shows at the Henrico Theatre in Highland Springs. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $30 to $45. 866-710-89-42 or olddominionbarndance.webs.com. Gospel/bluegrass favorite Williamson Branch will also perform, along with host Donna Meade and the cast of the Old Dominion Barn Dance.

“Croaker: The Frog Prince Musical” hops onstage at Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn this Friday through April 17. A contemporary re-telling of “The Princess and the Frog,” the show by Richmonders Jason Marks and Debra Clinton was a hit when it premiered in 2012 at SPARC. Singable music and humor that the whole family can enjoy are likely the reasons why. $20. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.

For more fun with the kiddos, there's the 16th annual Kids Carniball: Destination Havana at the Children's Museum of Richmond's central location Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., complete with bilingual story times, a Latin Ballet performance and soccer with the Richmond Kickers. Free with museum admission. 2626 W. Broad St. 474-7062.  

Getting back to the animals-and-music theme, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “Circus Xtreme” performances Thursday to Sunday (March 10-13) at the Richmond Coliseum will be your last chance to see the iconic Asian elephants before they retire in May at the circus’s Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida. $15 to $52. 780-4970 or richmondcoliseum.net.

Not into lion-taming? How about trying to understand the opposite sex? "Men Are From Mars, Women are From Venus-Live!" is a one-man fusion of theater and standup comedy based on the best-selling book by John Gray. Gottwald Playhouse at the Dominion Arts Center (the venue formerly known as Richmond CenterStage) on Friday, March 11. 8 p.m. $57. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.  

On Saturday and Sunday, you can visit 14 historical sites in the Richmond region free of charge. Agecroft Hall, The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, Chesterfield County Museum, Chimborazo Medical Museum, Dabbs House Museum, The John Marshall House, Magnolia Grange House Museum, Maymont, Meadow Farm Museum, Museum & White House of the Confederacy, Poe Museum, The 1812 Wickham House, The Valentine First Freedom Center and Wilton House Museum — will offer complimentary admission to visitors who show a Time Travelers Passport, which can be downloaded from the websites of participating attractions.

It’s the last weekend to see these theater shows:

"Bad Jews" through 3/12

This TheatreLab show, directed by Debra Clinton and produced in partnership with the Weinstein JCC, has been extended for one more weekend. Three Jewish cousins battle over faith, family and legacy after a death in the family. $30. 505-0558 or theatrelabrva.org.

“The Mountaintop” through 3/12

What happened the night of April 3, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stayed in Memphis, Tennessee, is imagined in Katori Hall’s play, “The Mountaintop,” a production by Cadence Theatre in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre at Virginia Rep’s Theatre Gym.

“Creating Claire” through 3/13

Science and faith come into conflict in HATTheatre’s production of “Creating Claire.” Claire, a docent at a natural history museum, receives pushback after diverging from her script about evolution to consider intelligent design. $10 to $25. 1124 Westbriar Drive. 343-6364 or hattheatre.org. 

Also playing are:

“Lazarus Syndrome” through 3/19

In Richmond Triangle Players' production of "Lazarus Syndrome," a former concert pianist living with HIV is visited by his father and brother, bearing brisket, a bottle of Manischewitz and family baggage.

“I Do! I Do!” now through 4/3

This intimate musical by the creators of “The Fantasticks” follows two soul mates as they navigate the joys and challenges of a 50-year marriage. Hanover Tavern. $40. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.

Turning to art, there are just a couple more days to see these exhibitions:

“Within Reach,” through 3/12

This exhibition curated by Michael Pierce and Elaine Rogers at Artspace features artists renowned in the Richmond area and beyond. It culminates Saturday, March 12, 6:30 to 10 p.m., with a live auction. 232-6464 or artspacegallery.org.

“Rodin: Evolution of a Genius” through 3/13

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts exhibition features 200 sculptures, sketches and watercolors, and 70 photographs by Eugène Druet, who worked with Rodin. $15. 340-1400 or vmfa.museum. Harry Kollatz Jr. shares his impressions in "Thinking About Rodin."

Continuing shows around town:

“Triangle, Circle, Square” through 3/26

New York City-based artists Jennifer Lauren Smith and Andrew Brehm collaborate to create a multi-channel video installation at Gallery5, consisting of three video-graphic vignettes, each depicting a geometric sculpture or shape inserted by the artists into a natural environment. Opening reception March 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. 200 W. Marshall St. 510-0488 or gallery5arts.org. 

“Greg Osterhaus: New Works” through 3/26

Known for his vibrant rural Virginia landscapes and cow paintings, Osterhaus will give a gallery talk at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12. Glavé Kocen Gallery. 1620 W. Main St. 358-1990 or glavekocengallery.com.

“Constructing from Life” and “Resting On Is Relying On” through 3/26

Paintings by Peri Schwartz and sculpture by Jere Williams at Page Bond Gallery. 1625 W. Main St.  359-3633 or pagebondgallery.com.

“Annual Judged Art Show 2016” through 3/28

About 40 artists are participating in the show, judged by professional artist Jos Biviano, with an opening reception set for March 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. All works are for sale, and 15 percent of proceeds will benefit Easter Seals. For Art’s Sake Gallery & Studio, 9770 Gayton Road. 740-1400 or forartssakegallery.com.

“The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design” through 4/17

Organized by The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Thomas H. and Diane DeMell Jacobsen Ph.D. Foundation, this exhibition at the Virginia Historical Society features 44 chairs from the early 19th century to the present, chosen for their beauty and historical context. $20. 358-4901 or vahistorical.org

“Subject to Change” through 4/23

Works by David Emitt Adams, K.K. DePaul, Heidi Kirkpatrick, Lisa Kokin, Tarrah Krajnak, Rachel Phillips and Kris Sanford at Candela Books + Gallery. 214 W. Broad St. 225-5527 or candelabooks.com.

“Fine Art and Furniture” through 4/30

This show at Ashland’s Gallery Flux pairs paintings by a variety of artists with artisan-made furniture and pottery. 307-B England St. 752-3540 or galleryflux.com.

“Different Trends” through 5/31

Works by Ugandan artist Hassan Mukiibi at Elegba Folklore Society. 101 E. Broad St., 644-3900 or efsinc.org.

“Thomas R. Schiff: Virginia 360°” through 6/19

Contemporary photographer Thomas R. Schiff made these 40 panoramic images in Virginia between 2004 and 2013. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Free. 340-1400 or vmfa.museum

Also check out our Art Guide for a directory of Richmond-area museums, galleries and exhibition spaces: